Beka Cooper: terrier [book review]

Pierce, Tamora. Beka Cooper: Terrier. Random House, 2006. ISBN 037581468X. $18.95. 581 p.
Reviewer: Kate Reynolds
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating: Excellent
Genre: Fantasy stories; Adventure stories;
Subject: Police--Juvenile fiction; Magic--Juvenile fiction; Fantasy; Books--Reviews
Sixteen-year-old Beka Cooper begins her training with the Provost's Guard in the capital city of Corus from Pierce's well-known Tortall universe. This story, however, takes place two hundred years before familiar and liked characters such as Alanna, Daine, Alianne, and Keladry start their adventures. Readers will see a whole different world than the one they thought they knew, both because of the time shift and because most of the action takes place far away from the palace and the nobility that previous stories have introduced. Beka herself is an interesting character. She is both diligent and smart, but she tries her hardest to avoid the spotlight because she is shy. The cast of characters assembled around her are equally believable. However, even with Beka’s magical ability to speak to the dead, the story somewhat strains credibility as she, a trainee, manages to solve (granted, with help) two separate mysteries in one night. The book is in journal format, first person from Beka's perspective—a first for Pierce, but very well done. Because Beka is the oldest of five children and has a supportive foster father (the Lord Provost himself), her story also has the potential to show a greater family dynamic than Pierce has used previously. Overall, this tale is a welcome addition to the kingdom of Tortall.

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Pierce, Tamora. Beka Cooper: Terrier. Random House, 2006. ISBN 037581468X. $18.95. 581 p.
Reviewer: Kate Reynolds
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating: Excellent
Genre: Fantasy stories; Adventure stories;
Subject: Police--Juvenile fiction; Magic--Juvenile fiction; Fantasy; Books--Reviews
Sixteen-year-old Beka Cooper begins her training with the Provost's Guard in the capital city of Corus from Pierce's well-known Tortall universe. This story, however, takes place two hundred years before familiar and liked characters such as Alanna, Daine, Alianne, and Keladry start their adventures. Readers will see a whole different world than the one they thought they knew, both because of the time shift and because most of the action takes place far away from the palace and the nobility that previous stories have introduced. Beka herself is an interesting character. She is both diligent and smart, but she tries her hardest to avoid the spotlight because she is shy. The cast of characters assembled around her are equally believable. However, even with Beka’s magical ability to speak to the dead, the story somewhat strains credibility as she, a trainee, manages to solve (granted, with help) two separate mysteries in one night. The book is in journal format, first person from Beka's perspective—a first for Pierce, but very well done. Because Beka is the oldest of five children and has a supportive foster father (the Lord Provost himself), her story also has the potential to show a greater family dynamic than Pierce has used previously. Overall, this tale is a welcome addition to the kingdom of Tortall.

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